by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Turmoil in a scheme that gives young people a hands-on experience of business threatens its future in Kent and Medway.

Young Enterprise, founded in the Medway Towns more than 40 years ago and now a national and international scheme, encourages 15 - 19 year olds to set up real companies in their school.

But YE depends for its local success on business volunteers and they are furious with the "machinations" and "tinpot despotism" of south east chief executive Jan Sharman and chairman Geoff Bell. Some have already quit and others may follow to set up a rival project.

They complain of an "authoritarian approach" and "unaffordable" price hikes to schools that have persuaded some to defect to a cheaper scheme.

Kent YE area board recently passed a vote of no confidence in Ms Sharman after the regional office vetoed its choice of Toni Clarke, chief executive of Medway Education Business Partnership, as county YE chairman.

She promptly quit, followed by colleagues on the entire YE Medway Area board. Mrs Clarke blamed the "machinations" of Ms Sharman and Mr Bell. "I think they’ve behaved disgracefully," she said.

Jerry Metcalf, chairman of the North East Area Board, denounced the regional office’s "heavy-handed, bureaucratic and authoritarian approach."

"It’s all rather sad because we are in it for the kids, it’s about giving our kids more ambition," he said. "We want to show them that it’s not that difficult to get involved in business or have their own business. While I’m quite happy giving my time and energy to YE, I don’t need the hassle and unnecessary tinpot despotism."

Mr Bell insisted YE was not going to die in the county but it needed more income because Government grants had stopped. "Some people have found this difficult to live with because they are used to the YE or five or 10 years ago where we gave everything for free," he said.

"It’s always unfortunate when some people feel they not longer fit into the organisation, but in any organisation, whether its commercial or volunteer, that happens. But the organisation continues and goes from strength to strength. YE in Kent has a great tradition and it has a great future."